Arcadia vs. SVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Arcadia University in Glenside, PA with Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arcadia University is larger than SVU based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 936 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arcadia University is located in Glenside, PA (Large Suburban setting); Southern Virginia University is in Buena Vista, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Arcadia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Virginia University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arcadia University 10:1; Southern Virginia University 14:1.

Arcadia vs. SVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arcadia or SVU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern Virginia University than Arcadia ($24,561 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Virginia University are 42.4% lower than at Arcadia University ($9,894 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 133.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SVU (about $28,330 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.1% higher at Arcadia than at Southern Virginia University (about $28,330 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $21,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Virginia University than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 245.6% larger than aid received by Southern Virginia University students ($34,705 vs. $10,041).

Arcadia vs. SVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arcadia or SVU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SVU and Arcadia.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Arcadia University (1170) is 70 points higher than at SVU (1100).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Arcadia University 1065/1265; Southern Virginia University 943/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSouthern Virginia University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arcadia - Test optional; SVU - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman Arcadia students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at SVU (3.19).
• SVU has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.4% at Arcadia vs. 21.4% at SVU.

Arcadia vs. SVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arcadia and SVU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Southern Virginia University's (25%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than SVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Virginia University graduates have a $3,346 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($23,654 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SVU graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($244 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SVU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.